Appleton — The clock struck 7 p.m., and Eric Maixner stood at his laptop, microphone in hand, ready to kick off Appleton Beer Factory's weekly trivia night. As the DJ of the event, Maixner had prepared a night of music and beer for the crowd that had gathered at the local brewery. The patrons were excited to test their knowledge of pop music, country music, rock music, and even '80s music trivia.
Maixner started the night with a warm-up round, throwing out some easy questions to get the crowd going. The patrons eagerly shouted out the answers, competing against each other for the top spot. As the night went on, the questions got more challenging, and the competition grew more intense.
The trivia night coincided with the celebration of St. Patrick's Day in nearby Crosslake. For nearly 50 years, Crosslake had been celebrating the coming of Spring with a St Patrick's Day Parade. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the parade had been canceled, but the spirit of the holiday was still alive at the Appleton Beer Factory.
As the night progressed, Maixner announced a special round of questions in honor of Belgium Independence Day. The brewery was hosting a bash to celebrate the occasion, and the patrons were excited to test their knowledge of Belgian culture and history.
In addition to the trivia night, the brewery was also hosting a book talk by D. Watkins at nearby MahoganyBooks. Watkins was discussing his latest book, which focused on the challenges facing Black Americans in today's society. The talk was well-attended, and the patrons at the brewery were excited to hear about Watkins' insights.
Meanwhile, at the nearby Spy Museum, visitors were learning about the history of espionage and national security. The museum had recently opened a new exhibit on the topic, and visitors were flocking to see it.
Despite the excitement of the night, there was still a sense of concern about the coronavirus pandemic. Cases had risen in major cities, and there was a fear that the virus could spread rapidly if precautions were not taken. However, the patrons at the Appleton Beer Factory were careful to wear masks and practice social distancing, ensuring that the night was both fun and safe.
As the night came to a close, Maixner announced the winners of the trivia night. The top teams were awarded prizes, and the patrons left the brewery with a sense of satisfaction and camaraderie. It was a night of music, beer, and trivia, a perfect way to take a break from the stress of daily life and enjoy the company of friends and family.
